In Pictures

Brooklyn, New York, USA -  Leave it to Despers USA Steel Orchestra to bring together one of the more engaging band launches of the 2013 Brooklyn, New York steelpan music season. The first weekend in August saw seven of New York’s finest steel orchestras in mid-season form - Sonatas, Steel Sensation, CrossFire, Pantonic, D’Radoes, Pan Sonatas and host Despers USA - come together at KC’s Hideaway for the musical shebang. On this August Sunday evening in the Big Apple - the people were there, the bands were there and the music was there. And oh yes, there was a lot of ‘red’ present; at the urging of Despers USA, as a symbol of unity and togetherness among the New York steelband franchises, everyone was asked to wear red. Red it was.

Despers USA opened the event with a warm-up set and then passed the musical baton to Sonatas, followed by Steel Sensation, who ceded to CrossFire, followed by Pantonic, D’Radoes and finally back to Despers USA who closed off the evening’s performances with their final set.

As we at WST (When Steel Talks) have inferred before in one of our previous launch reviews - we don’t like KC’s Hideaway as a venue for steelpan music. There isn’t much to like. It’s dark, dreary, in a weird location and has bad acoustics. However, once the show got started, the natural beauty of the music and energy of the people present took over and rendered the event another great steelpan music moment in the history of steelbands in Brooklyn.

CASYM Steel Orchestra followed show openers and hosts Despers USA and got the night’s musical activities underway in earnest.  By this time more pan music patrons had been making their way to the venue and moreover, what might have appeared to have been folly in the cancelling of the launch the day before, due to weather-related concerns, was a program now on track to being alright after all.  CASYM delivered an energetic and steady performance as it has done throughout this 2013 Panorama season.  The crowd was clearly pleased with their showing.

There were two guest artists who joined the evening’s line-up of entertainers.  Verona Steel, a small recently-founded community group shared a short set, while later on young calypsonian “Lani K” took the microphone and delivered two songs. The second  selection, “Old Time Days,” was written by “Lani K” himself, a fervent ode harkening back to the time when mutual respect was the norm in society.  “Lani K” is the sobriquet of Jalani Kojo, son of female Trinidad & Tobago calypsonian Twiggy, and this was his first performance in New York.

For many of the Brooklyn steelpan music veterans, lifers and royalty - this launch was their maiden voyage to the 2013 New York pan scene. It was a welcome sight to see so many of them present and freely exuding positive, sustaining energies into the New York pan scene.

With so many veterans and knowledgeable steelpan music connoisseurs in attendance, it was abundantly clear that each orchestra needed to put on a command performance. Competition among New York steel orchestras remains keen in all aspects of music. Moreover, the old adage that one is only as good as one’s last performance is vigorously adhered to in New York. So, with a captive audience in attendance, and watching and listening - it was ‘showtime.’

Sonatas was in their steady and consistent mode of excellence; however for some reason they seem a tad bit understated and reserved on this evening. The engine room wasn’t ‘fully loaded.’ From Ralph MacDonald’s classic “Just the Two of Us” to Kerwin Dubois’ “Wettin’,” the band masterfully displayed its musicianship and versatility. They dropped some of the sweetest harmonies you will ever hear this side of the hemisphere in their moving “Let It Be Me/Always On My Mind” mix. And did we mention that Sonatas has great instruments? In any regard, they remain one of the top performing acts. Though with the Summer almost at an end, we didn’t see Sonatas as much as we would have liked this season. Again, catch them if you can; you won’t be disappointed.

Steel Sensation continues to impress with their special brand of steelpan music distinction. Once again they made it abundantly clear that they can overcome any size disadvantage that may exist through sheer skill. No song is outside of their musical grasp and expertise. From “Bunji Garlin” to Whitney Huston – ‘not a problem’ for Steel Sensation. On this night the group was back in complete command as they literally led the audience through their set, which, fully engaged, even provided vocal accompaniment - the audience that is.

One of the great things about the New York steel orchestras is that they all have their own sound - in part because of each individual band’s approach to their live music performances, quality of instruments, arranger and unique cultural and artistic aspects of their history and, especially - tradition.

And speaking of which - CrossFire has definitely defined their sound. Their musical director Kendall Williams is lending much to this occurrence as both their arranger and drummer. New York steel orchestras have no shortage of great drummers. Kendall Williams is exceptional in that he has the unique ability to not overstate the case - and a firm understanding that less is more. He has the lightest hands and some of the most effective shots (accents) we’ve heard in a while. He would make Max Roach proud. From “Differentology” to “Oil and Music” CrossFire was on point. Love their engine room.

Traditionally, the New York engine rooms in the steel orchestras have been made up mainly of gray haired old-timers who perform and guarded the “Ancient Rhythms” with the proper attitude and reverence that only they could rhythmically, and more importantly, spiritually, deliver. So it was particularly impressive to see so many young people in the engine-rooms delivering authentic and actual percussive rhythms of life. The baton has been successfully passed again.

Incidentally, CrossFire Steel Orchestra’s journey during the 2013 Pan season is being followed and chronicled in part, for a short documentary being produced by Japanese film maker Nori Mizukami. Footage being captured includes band practice sessions, CrossFire’s band launch and their season performances. The documentary also expects to feature highlights of the band’s actual Panorama performance upcoming at the end of August. In this vein, a Mizukami team member was present (pictured above) at Despers USA’s band launch capturing CrossFire as they played.

Pantonic continues to impress. This has been a season of much growth for the young members of ‘Tonic 2.0’ as this edition of players is affectionate called. They have maintained the tradition and are now seasoned performers. They truly enjoy performing, while appreciating the culture and art form themselves. From the classic Maestro’s “Fiery” to Busy Signal’s “Come Over,” Pantonic has got it stacked. Moreover, the group has successfully bridged the defining songs and arrangements of Pantonic over the years with new pieces that ultimately showcase this new generation’s musical sensibilities in an impressive and complete repertoire.

D’Radoes has to be one of the great stories of the 2013 Summer steelband launches. D’Radoes continues to make a music statement every time out. The statement is a simple one – “Just listen and enjoy.” At this launch D’Radoes took a decisively “ole school” approach. From Kitchener’s “Rainorama” to AbbA’s “Dancing Queen” – D’Radoes’ short but potent set simply enchanted the crowd. There are some things that cannot be taught. You can’t teach experience. You can’t teach “feel.” And D’Radoes has a ton of both through its veteran crew. Just in case you weren’t there at the launch, make sure you check out Natalie Wint’s and Terrance “BJ” Marcelle’s solos in “Believe” - wicked – ‘nuff talk. Oh, and make sure you check out D’Radoes drummer. He is the one and only - Bailey. Talk about distinguished steelpan music drumming.

When we talk about Despers USA, the discourse is always inclusive of the Despers USA sound and Despers touch. Well, a critical component to that wonderful sound that we all know and love, is Wilfred Kieal, Jr. on drums anchoring it all down this season. An approach of ‘never more than needed’ has served Kieal and the orchestra well, as his respect for the ‘art of silence’ allows Despers USA’s music to breathe, and Odie Franklin’s arrangements to be heard. In fact it is an approach that has been a staple with all Despers USA drummers. The group put the final touches on a great evening of steelband performances in Brooklyn.

One of the great experiences in pan music, is to have been fortunate enough to be serenaded by the legendary Desperadoes Steel orchestra as they performed or practiced for panorama in their yard on the hill in Laventille, Trinidad, under the musical directive of the great Robert Greenidge or the Master arranger Clive Bradley - perched like the gods on mount Olympus - spewing intoxicating musical charms high above the city of Port-of-Spain. At this launch three indirect descendants of Desperadoes were performing - Pantonic, Despers USA and D’Radoes. It was indeed interesting to watch all three orchestras assembled side by side. Where one group ended and another began could not be delineated, as they all have historically painted their instruments silver, as do Desperadoes of Trinidad and Tobago.  It was indeed a treat to hear all three of these bands perform consecutively.

A cool Sunday evening it was, and one filled with stimulating steelpan performances. It was also a very good beginning to that work week, with many pan lovers heading to the office no doubt with the power of pan pulsing through them, and the sound of sweet steel still ringing in their ears.

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Contact Despers USA:
Contact D’Radoes:    1 (917) 554-3944
Contact CASYM:  1 (718) 735-6708     casymsteelband@gmail.com
Contact Pantonic:  1 (718) 434-0231      Pantonic1@aol.com
Contact Pan Sonatas:   1 (718) 496-5133      contactus@pansonatas.com
Contact Steel Sensation:  1 (718) 809-8288       steelsensation@gmail.com
Contact CrossFire:  1 (347) 262-5746       Crossfiresteel@yahoo.com

Despers USA’s 2013 Band Launch
Album 1 | Album 2

Album 1 | Album 2